Drug Free
How to raise a drug free child:
Birth through Elementary School
Early Steps
A parent's actions even before birth are critical to helping a child stay off drugs in later years. Drugs, including nicotine and alcohol, can damage a fetus as early as three weeks after conception. And some research suggests babies born to addicted mothers may be at higher risk to addiction later in their lives.
First Lessons
Long before your children are ready for school, begin teaching them rulesfor behavior: honesty, fairness, respect for others and for the law. And be an example: live by those values yourself.
Good Choices
It's important to keep your children involved in family activities. They should regularly join the family for dinner and be part of family vacations and other activities. Teach your children to make the right decisions on their own, and impart "don't be a follower" lessons. Teach your children to say no.
Keep Communication Open
Don't worry how you start the discussion about drugs with your kids. Just talk. It may seem as though your children are not listening, but don't give up. Better they hear about drugs from you, than from others - including those who use and sell drugs.
Escape Routes
Give your children reasons for saying no to drugs. Practice responses with your children, such as, "No way. My mom would kill me if I did that.". Teach kids to avoid places where they may be pressured to use illegal drugs. And if they do encounter drugs, teach your children to leave the area.
Middle School
Facts
Parents should know the types of drugs their children might be exposed to and the dangers associated with each; be able to identify paraphernalia used with each drug; know street names of drugs and what drugs look like; and be alert for changes in their child's behavior or appearance.
Setting Limits
Many young people use drugs simply because their friends do. Get to know your child's friends and their parents. Make sure your child attends only drug-free, chaperoned events. Closely monitor your child's whereabouts. If there is a last minute change of plans, always have your child check with you first.
Keep Your Children Busy
Research has shown than when teens are unsupervised and have little to do, they are more likely to experiment with drugs. Keep your children involved with hobbies and/or extra-curricular activities.
Stay Involved
Although it may take personal sacrifice, a parent must continue to have direct involvement with their children. Attend open house at school, scout meetings, dance recitals, soccer games, etc. A parent has to be a part of their children's lives to be aware of any changes in their behavior.
High School
Enforcing Rules
Setting rules for a child is only half the job. A parent must be prepared to enforce the penalties when rules are broken. Make sure your child knows what the rules are, the reasons for them and what the consequences will be if they're broken. Allow no second chances. For example, should your child decide to disobey and drink alcohol, he/she should not be trusted to drive a vehicle.
Consistency
Make it clear the "no drugs or alcohol" rule applies not only at home but everywhere child is.
Keep Listening
It's important that parents don't do all the talking. If you listen to your children, you can learn a lot about what they think about drugs and help them avoid pitfalls. Listening isn't as easy as it sounds because kids at this age are not always in the talk mode. A parent must be ready to drop whatever they are doing and listen when their kids are ready to open up.
*Information excerpted from a family guide developed by Reader's Digest in association with the U.S. Department of Education, ABC Television Network and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. (Click here to go to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools' web site.)
If you suspect your child (or anyone else) is using drugs, contact the Laredo ISD Police Department at 956-795-3417.
The LISD Police Department provides an anonymous drug identification service where persons may drop off a substance believed to be an illegal drug, the Department will test the substance and confidentially report the results back to you. For more information about drug abuse and services, contact the LISD Police Department at 956-795-3417 Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Other Drug Related Links:
Selecting a link below will take you from the Laredo ISD Police Department web site.
http://www.drugfreeamerica.org/index.html
Drug Identification
Here are just a few signs that you can look for to help identify drugs and the symptoms of drug use. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time at 956-795-3417.
Drug | Appearance | Symptoms of Use | Symptoms of Overdose | Symptoms of Withdrawal |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stimulants - Amphetamines (Dexedrine, Ritalin, Preludin, Ionamin, Cylert) General: Amphetamines are a class of synthetic drugs that are strong stimulants of the central nervous system, increasing the heart rate and raising blood pressure. Administered in capsule or tablet form, they increase alertness and reduce hunger. Street names for amphetamines include crank, ice, uppers, bennies, rockets, speed, and black beauties. | capsules, tablets. | agitation, excessive activity, euphoria, insomnia | cardiac irregularities, headache, coma, death | excessive hunger, muscle aches, tremors |
Heroin General: Heroin is derived from the seed of the opium poppy plant and is highly addictive. Heroin, as well as morphine and other opium derivatives, is a powerful analgesic drug. It is known as a narcotic analgesic because it can induce sleep (or, in excessive amounts, coma). Heroin also induces a sense of euphoria through interaction with the brain's opiate receptors. A number of slang names for heroin include chiva, smack, horse, junk, tar, and black tar. | white to dark brown powder, or black tar-like substance that resembles dark caramel. | euphoria, lethargy, constricted pupils, drowsiness | shallow breathing, vomiting, convulsions, coma, death | diarrhea, tremors, chills, shakes, sweating, runny nose and eyes |
Ethyl Alcohol - Beer, Wine, Vodka, Whiskey, Bourbon, Rum General: Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol and grain alcohol, is a colorless, flammable liquid. Drinkers may become addicted to any of the above beverages. Additionally, the combination of alcohol and drugs, such as commonly used sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antibiotics, and aspirin, can be fatal, even when both are taken in non lethal doses. | Bottles or cans. | relaxation, loss of inhibitions, lack of concentration | nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, coma, death | agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, shakes |
Cocaine General: Cocaine is an alkaloid drug found in the leaves of the coca plant. Street names include coke, snow, blow, nose candy, rock, crack, and base. Cocaine can be injected, inhaled or smoked. Cocaine’s fine white powder is often sniffed. Crack is highly concentrated chemically reconstituted cocaine, in pebblelike shape, that users smoke. | cocaine - white crystalline powder; crack - white to tan pellets or rocks. | euphoria, excitability, talkativeness, dilated pupils, paranoia | hallucinations, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest, death | apathy, irritability, social withdrawal, fatigue |
Inhalants - Volatile Hydrocarbons, Amyl/Butyl Nitrite, Nitrous Oxide, Halothane General: Some of the street names of inhalants are rush, huff, airplane glue, laughing gas, and spray paint. | aerosol cans, clear or yellowish liquid in ampules, metal cylinder sold with a balloon. | similar to alcohol, slurred speech, lack of inhibitions, nausea | liver, brain, and nerve damage; heart failure, coma, death | anxiety, agitation, anti-social behavior |
Marijuana | similar to dried parsley. | relaxation, talkativeness, lowered inhibitions, euphoria | fatigue, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations | loss of appetite, restlessness, irritability, insomnia |
Depressants - Seconal, Nembutal, Valium, Noctec, Equanil General: Drugs that retard, slow down, or depress signals passing through the central nervous system and produce relaxation, a lowering of anxiety, and, at higher doses, drowsiness and sleep, are called depressants. They include sedatives, such as barbiturates, methaqualone, and tranquilizers, such as Valium. Street names include downers, goofballs, reds, yellow jackets, and mickey finns. | red, yellow, blue or red-and-blue capsules, tablets, powder, liquid | similar to alcohol, relaxation, slurred speech, sleep | shallow respiration, dilated pupils, coma, death | anxiety, sweating, fever, agitation, shakes |
Hallucinogens - LSD, PCP, MDMA, STP, DMT, Mescaline, Psilocybin General: Hallucinogens are a group of plant-derived or synthetic chemical substances, some of which human beings have used, throughout history, to modify their state of consciousness for medicinal, religious, or recreational purposes. The most potent hallucinogen is LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), often simply called "acid." Other street names for hallucinogens are angel dust, ecstasy, serenity, peace, peyote, and 'shrooms. | tablets, white or off-white crystalline powder, capsules, hard brown disks, fresh or dried mushrooms. | hallucinations, confusion, euphoria, anxiety, panic | hallucinations, agitation, violence, convulsions, death | possible flashbacks |